Do You Like Tianyan Sect

Facing the sect leader's reprimand, Shangguan Hong's face flushed slightly with shame. When Chu Xingchen was about to draw his sword, he had backed down. Just standing beside Yaoqin as she unleashed that sword strike made Shangguan Hong feel as though the shadow of death was looming over him. At this moment, in this situation, Shangguan Hong could only lower his head and apologize:

"My sincerest apologies, honored guests. I was overthinking things."

Once Yaoqin unleashed that sword strike, all doubts were instantly dispelled.

Chu Xingchen looked somewhat regretful and tried to stop them: "Don't rush off. I really am not a disciple of the Tianyan Sect."

Hearing this, the sect leader quickly turned his gaze to Zheng Xiaofeng.

Zheng Xiaofeng was barely holding it together. It was you who tacitly allowed that old fool Shangguan to dig his own grave, and now I have to clean up the mess? Being a senior elder is truly frustrating.

"Honored guests, let's focus on the matter at hand," Zheng Xiaofeng said, forcing a smile as he cupped his hands in respect. "Your identities are beyond doubt. Whatever you need, the Qingfeng Sect will do its best to assist."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen looked regretful. After returning the sword to Yaoqin, he slowly sat back down in his chair and spoke with a serious expression:

"Two matters. The first is the main reason for our visit this time."

"We have received a request from Yuzhou City. A group of demonic cultivators has been conducting large-scale blood sacrifices, suspected of planning something major. They have fled to this area, and I demand that you conduct a thorough investigation."

Hearing this, the Qingfeng Sect leader breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they weren't here to cause trouble, it was fine. He quickly replied:

"Since it concerns the righteous path, we naturally cannot refuse. May I ask what the second matter is?"

Chu Xingchen's gaze turned icy as he looked at Shangguan Hong: "The reputation of the Tianyan Sect is not something just anyone can question."

The sect leader did not respond but instead turned his gaze back to Zheng Xiaofeng.

Great! Another life-threatening question for me to handle!

Zheng Xiaofeng sighed inwardly, then cupped his hands and continued: "Elder Shangguan, he..."

He paused for a moment, finally coming up with an excuse: "He was merely concerned that someone might be using the Tianyan Sect's name to deceive others."

Chu Xingchen's tone suddenly turned cold: "So, according to you, even with our tokens, my senior sister and I don't look like disciples of the Tianyan Sect but more like frauds?"

Zheng Xiaofeng hurriedly replied: "Of course not... of course not."

Before Zheng Xiaofeng could continue explaining, Chu Xingchen abruptly raised his hand to cut him off:

"I don't care what rules your Qingfeng Sect follows, but from now on, we'll do things according to the Tianyan Sect's rules! For as long as I am investigating at the Qingfeng Sect, Elder Shangguan will spend each day in confinement!"

Zheng Xiaofeng could only look to the sect leader, as this matter was beyond his authority. Shangguan Hong's seniority in the Qingfeng Sect far exceeded his own.

"This matter, I agree," the sect leader said without hesitation. He then turned to the other two elders and said, "You two, personally escort Elder Shangguan to the confinement chamber."

The two elders cupped their hands in acknowledgment and led Shangguan Hong away.

With Shangguan Hong gone, Chu Xingchen's expression softened instantly, as if his earlier harshness had been directed solely at Shangguan Hong.

Seeing this, the sect leader also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this was personal, not about the sect. That was manageable. He then asked:

"Honored guests, how may the Qingfeng Sect assist you?"

Chu Xingchen smiled confidently, as if he had a brilliant plan:

"Just send people out, using the Qingfeng Sect as the center, and conduct a comprehensive, carpet-like search in all directions. Force those demonic cultivators out of hiding."

The Qingfeng Sect leader: "..."

Is this even a plan?

If we make such a big show of searching, the demonic cultivators will have already fled before we even encounter them. Moreover, the scope of such a search would be impossible to estimate once we move further out.

But forget it. From what just happened, it seems these two are just disciples who enjoy making a scene. Whether the demonic cultivators are caught or not has nothing to do with the Qingfeng Sect. Might as well humor these youngsters to avoid further trouble.

After a moment of thought, the sect leader smiled and agreed:

"As expected of the Tianyan Sect's elite disciples. This is indeed a foolproof plan. The Qingfeng Sect will arrange for people to carry it out."

Chu Xingchen looked pleased with this response, then pointed to Zheng Xiaofeng beside him:

"I like the way this guy talks. He'll assist me during this mission."

Zheng Xiaofeng was about to say something, but his sect leader agreed faster:

"No problem. Xiao Zheng, you will accompany our honored guest from the Tianyan Sect."

The utterly powerless "Xiao Zheng" could only nod in agreement.

"Good. I'll come back if there's anything else," Chu Xingchen said with satisfaction. He then glanced at the ruined hall and asked, "We don't have to pay for the damages, do we?"

The sect leader just wanted to see these two troublesome guests leave as soon as possible and quickly replied:

"Of course not."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen strode out of the hall: "Good. Xiao Zheng, come with us."

Yaoqin also stood up without hesitation and followed.

With a sigh, Zheng Xiaofeng hurriedly followed as well.

Led by Chu Xingchen, the three of them walked straight toward the sect's main gate.

At this moment, many disciples lining the corridors were cautiously watching Chu Xingchen and Yaoqin.

That sword strike earlier had shocked the entire Qingfeng Sect.

Moreover, the fact that the two of them could walk out unscathed after unleashing such a strike meant that not only were they powerful, but they also had formidable backing.

Zheng Xiaofeng followed closely behind the two.

Chu Xingchen had his reasons for acting this way.

Within the Qingfeng Sect, it wasn't just the Golden Core cultivator guarding the mines who had been involved in the demonic rituals. One person alone couldn't have pulled off something of this scale.

When the elders and the sect leader had entered earlier, Chu Xingchen had used his system to scan their profiles.

Based on their profile descriptions, the other elders didn't seem to have any issues—for now.

Only Shangguan Hong was different.

The last time Chu Xingchen had scanned him, the black descriptor "Plagued by Inner Demons" had been replaced with the blue descriptor "Postnatal Demonic Body."

And "Postnatal Demonic Body" was the descriptor of the Golden Core demonic cultivator from the mines.

This meant that Shangguan Hong had undoubtedly joined the ranks of the demonic cultivators during this period.

Now that they had their initial lead, they needed to follow it and dig deeper.

First, they had to blind one of their eyes, making the situation seem murky to them. Only then could they stir the waters and fish in troubled waters.

If they directly attacked the mines, they wouldn't be able to lure out all the big fish.

This was why Chu Xingchen had deliberately provoked Shangguan Hong—his real goal was to have Shangguan Hong confined, making the rest of the snakes uneasy. Only then would they cautiously poke their heads out to assess the danger.

Secondly... this shortsighted Zheng Xiaofeng behind him wasn't he an easy-to-use and highly persuadable tool?

Chu Xingchen conveyed his thoughts to Yaoqin through a voice transmission.

Yaoqin's reply was brief: "Understood."

After the three of them had walked a distance from the Qingfeng Sect's entrance, Chu Xingchen suddenly stopped.

Zheng Xiaofeng also stopped and asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"

Chu Xingchen turned around and spoke as if sighing: "It's not easy playing the role of a humble host, is it?"

Zheng Xiaofeng was stunned. Why did this guy's words always hit right where it hurt?

Just as he was unsure how to respond, Chu Xingchen's face broke into a smile:

"Now, there is a better path for you,"

Chu Xingchen paused, then enticed:

"Do you like the Tianyan Sect?"

Option 1: Give both

Option 2: Choose one to give

Option 3: Choose one from the above two